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07-24-2012 | 01:26 PM

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Consumer Reports: Recommended

Acura RDX Earns Recommendation in Latest Consumer Reports Crossover Comparo

The revised 2013 Acura RDX has found at least one happy customer, and it's an important 1: Consumer Reports. The editors at CR gave the RDX crossover their top rating of "Recommended" after Acura ditched the turbocharged 4-cylinder that had served as the RDX's sole powerplant since its launch in 2006.

Praise was heaped upon the new powertrain, which features the Honda corporate 3.5-liter V6 in a 273-horsepower state of tune mated to a 6-speed automatic. But CR was unimpressed with the new, less-sophisticated all-wheel-drive system in the RDX, which was slow to transfer power rearwards.

Editors liked the redesigned RDX's softer ride, but were much less enthusiastic about its handling, which was judged inferior to the BMW X3 and Audi Q5. The BMW scored highest in the magazine's testing and the Audi also received a Recommended rating. The X3 was not recommended due to an inability to predict the reliability of BMW's new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine.

CR called the RDX's 22 mpg combined fuel economy "respectable" and predicts that its reliability will be "average or above," leading to the magazine's new endorsement.

Compact Sporty SUV Reviews

The BMW X3 and redesigned Acura RDX earned their spots in our Ratings of compact sporty SUVs by going in different directions.

The X3 has been powered by 6-cylinder base engines since its inception in 2004, but BMW opted to go smaller for 2013. It replaced the previous 3.0-liter inline 6 with a new 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder engine. The new engine ekes out 1 mpg better overall fuel economy than the old 1. And although the turbo 4 is not as refined as the 6, it delivers the same 240 hp and comparable acceleration. The cars offers precision handling and a taut ride as well as a quiet and plush interior.

By contrast, Acura dumped its rough and thirsty turbocharged 4-cylinder engine in favor of a more refined 273-hp, 3.5-liter V6. The larger engine not only performs better but also contributes to a respectable fuel economy of 22 mpg overall.

The RDX had been a weak spot in the otherwise competent Acura lineup; the previous version wasn’t refined and had a stiff ride. But the engine has been upgraded, and the cabin is roomier and more user-friendly. And the RDX is priced to move, costing much less than the competition.

Addition and subtraction. Until recently, the Audi Q5 was the top-rated vehicle in this category. We originally tested it with the 3.2-liter V6. And though the base engine later became a 2.0-liter turbocharged 4-cylinder, the Q5 2.0T is still a good choice, with enjoyable handling and a well-trimmed interior. Optional for 2013 is a potent 3.0-liter supercharged V6, with a 3.0-liter V6 turbodiesel and hybrid expected later.

Rounding out our 4some is the Cadillac SRX, which dropped its old 3.0-liter V6 and optional 2.8-liter turbo V6 for a larger 3.6-liter V6 that gets 18 mpg overall. Despite a power increase, the heavy SRX feels sluggish. Its revised suspension tuning hurt its emergency handling performance.

Prices for these cars range from $36,605 for the RDX to $44,595 for the BMW X3 xDrive28i.

Buyers interested in smaller, sporty SUVs might also consider some moderately priced options. We recently bought a Ford Escape, redesigned for 2013. We haven’t finished testing it, but we’re finding that at higher trim levels, the Escape provides unique features, a quiet cabin, sporty handling, and a solid feel. The nimble Volkswagen Tiguan shares the Audi Q5’s turbocharged 4-cylinder engine, but it costs thousands less. Other alternatives are uplevel versions of the Subaru Forester and Toyota RAV4.

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